How important is it to have a chart plotter at the wheel pedestal?

I would say that a plotter is a nice tool to have. And at the helm even nicer.

But thats all it is. A tool. You actually dont need one at all.

But having spent a looong time showing people how to navigate safely and easily without one, I would say that, wouldnt I? :cool:
 
We had the plotter at the Nav table but we upgraded 4 years ago and, keeping the unit at the chart table as back up we now have one at the helm (and never switch on the plotter down below - other than to check it still works). Ours is well protected from the elements and stray crew members being thrown about.

Now we use a tablet in the cabin connected by WiFi to the plotter, much more versatile as you can stir the porridge, check the radar and watch the seas going past - simultaneously.

Jonathan
 
I have a computer at the chart table with OpenCPN & old CM93 charts (I know!) - I use this in conjunction with openCPN's excellent AIS feature (IMO the best and most versatile).
B&G Vulcan9 chartplotter centrally under the sprayhood with CMap plotter charting (which I'm not a fan of personally).

But mostly in the cockpit I use an iPad with iSailor and Navionics apps - this works best for me.
 
Lightwave395 said:
Plotter at chart table, tablet in cockpit when weaving between rocks or entering harbours
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Same for me, but with a tiller my situation is a bit different.

When I first fitted a radar/plotter in 2000, a plotter on a pedestal under the sprayhood would not have been fully waterproof, so inside made more sense. Navigational information is provided by a Graphic Repeater, and is is more than adequate offshore. My boat has very little in the way of a bridge deck, and so popping in and out occasionally to look at the screen is no great chore, and I use a tablet repeater when necessary. If I were to start again I would probably want two screens, as I would be loathe to do without one inside.
 
FWIW. Given the drawbacks of tablets I think Neeves has cracked it.

Put the plotter in the cockpit and use a WiFi tablet below decks where the screen will be readable, it can be connected to 12v and stands less chance of being trodden on - whilst still retaining some portability should you need it.

At the helm, plotters are difficult for people anywhere but behind the wheel. Depending on how you use the boat you may consider siting the plotter forward in the cockpit, maybe at/above the companionway.
 
What I don't like about the plotter at the wheel on many boats is that only the helm can see the plotter properly.
That's fine for the singlehanded skipper who might be carrying passengers way of sailing.
But I prefer to sail more as a team crew.
If I'm skipper, I won't necessarily be steering the difficult bits.
I might be referring the pilot book or almaniac and wanting to see the plotter and discuss with helm and others.
That's great with the plotter at the helm of my mate's stink boat, because we can stand behind him at the chart table and see the plotter.
Maybe a centre cockpit boat would be more like that, a race boat with the wheel right aft isn't.

Likewise I think it's very valuable for everyone on deck to be able to see the main instruments, speed log, compass preferably depth too.

With autopilot on, you can move the steering to the plotter position rather than having the plotter placed to suit manual helming of course!
 
If you have a plotter, the ideal place is in the cockpit, either at the helm or under the sprayhood. If you want one below as well, get a second one or link to a tablet/PC.
 
Yeoman Plotter at chart table, NASA GPS repeater with instruments in cockpit to steer to and either tablet on mount at wheel or smartphone in pocket to consult navionics chart if in doubt. Works a treat. No plotter impossible to see in bright sunlight or helmsperson being blinded by plotter at night. Inquisitive crew members not tempted to fiddle with the displays! Not state of the art, but very practical.
 
I’ve got a plotter and radar both down at the chart table and at the helm. If (when) I have to update the system, I’ll be putting a plotter with radar at the helm and using an iPad connected to the plotter by WiFi to repeat the information at the chart table. Plotter down below is more or less redundant for the most part: route planning is done either with paper charts or on the iPad. I’m firmly of the school which considers the helm needs easy and constant access to the plotter and radar: anyone else who needs to see the information can do so at the chart table.
 
PC based system down below connected to 24 inch monitor running open cpn , wireless AIS unit , and standalone Radar at inside nav station Station , Tablet at Pedestal , can be locked onto the handrail or kept loose ,(12 volt waterproof socket fitted at helm station) running CPN and picking up the wireless AIS both systems are independent from each other (not AIS) so if one goes down there is a running back up . if I keep the washboard out I can see the Monitor and the Radar Screen , never use the radar , but its there in case I do , also have me paper charts that I love
 
Frank Holden said:
I have survived all these years with no plotter or radar in the cockpit.... but both are viewable from the cockpit.
I would have a radar upstairs before a plotter.... and if I did have instruments in the cockpit they would be under the dodger... which the wheel is not...
Offshore I am rarely on the wheel.
In close pilotage waters if serious pilotage is involved then crew is on the wheel while I manage the pilotage.
These days I have an iPad with an I-sailor Chilean portfolio on it. Can have that under the dodger ... for what little use it sometimes is....View attachment 86533
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It’s the radar, really.

I like the idea of a multi function plotter on the bulkhead; there’s a “close hauled” unit there at the moment and it’s easy to read from the wheel. It would be back to back with the chart table one on the other side of the bulkhead...
 
Neeves said:
We had the plotter at the Nav table but we upgraded 4 years ago and, keeping the unit at the chart table as back up we now have one at the helm (and never switch on the plotter down below - other than to check it still works). Ours is well protected from the elements and stray crew members being thrown about.

Now we use a tablet in the cabin connected by WiFi to the plotter, much more versatile as you can stir the porridge, check the radar and watch the seas going past - simultaneously.

Jonathan
Click to expand...

Same for me. B&G Vulcan down below, mirrored to a tablet in the cockpit when needed.
 
Frank Holden said:
Westerly Sealord/Oceanlord not so much...
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Oceanlord jockey here. My plotter is at the helm. Why? Well I agree with most of what others have said, including lw395 saying the helm is not the right place if sailing as a "proper" team/crew. Questions are: what will the thing be used for and by whom?

I don't use a plotter for "plotting". I do my plotting on paper at the chart table and scribble pilotage notes onto waterproof paper in my pocket. The plotter was primarily a device for avoiding those moments of uncertainty where something not on your pilotage plan crops up and you "just have to nip down and check the chart". At the helm is best if I'm helming. It's less ideal but not a problem if first mate is on the helm (I can lean over).

With AIS / traffic avoidance, having it at the helm allows the helmsperson to monitor AIS while the other person is sleeping. Obviously that is specific to our short-handed set-up and my preference for paper-based planning. YMMV.
 
Kukri said:
A friend and fellow member of this place suggested it and I rubbished the idea saying I wanted my chart plotter at the chart table.

Now I am having second thoughts and thinking of adding another plotter, at the wheel.

(The boat is not an ideal ditch crawler.)

What do people think?
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If you do any nigh5 passages, even if brightness is turned well down, it may affect nightvision, or become a distraction.
 
The boat came with a chartplotter at the wheel. When under way it now used as an instrument display. I find crew more interested in pushing buttons and turning knobs rather than looking at the world around them. If I ever have a new boat the chart plotter will be in a position where the crew can see it and not at the wheel.
 
Tom Cunliffe does not like a plotter at his wheel! Whenever I look at my wheel plotter, which is often, I really do marvel at how they have changed seafaring. I have often wondered how it would be without any plotter. I would buy a cheaper, smaller boat to start with!
 
My nav system is a 12 VDC computer running OpenCPN with AIS connected.
I have a computer monitor at my nav station inside and an car DVD monitor inside a stainless steel waterproof box at in the cockpit

35696527140_b0d696ce90_b.jpg


This is facing forward but can be turned to face any direction and can also be lifted up and down to aid visibility.

35953237031_3c724a737f_b.jpg


This is the monitor/TV/Video display at the nav station. Can also display video DVDs or Satellite TV

To operate cockpit display I have a finger mouse to operate the computer.
 
Kukri said:
It’s the radar, really.

I like the idea of a multi function plotter on the bulkhead; there’s a “close hauled” unit there at the moment and it’s easy to read from the wheel. It would be back to back with the chart table one on the other side of the bulkhead...
Click to expand...

Just out of interest, would you put your plotter as more important than your close hauled unit? Or is there room for both?

You've got a big powerful boat, and if it works, the wind unit might be quite useful.
 
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